Chapter 41

Chapter 41

"I want to borrow money from you, probably between eighty million and one hundred million."

Jiang Yicen wasn't sure whether one hundred million was a lot or a little for Nan Shuyi. Nan Yuan paid him a monthly salary of twenty-eight thousand. At that rate, even if he never ate or drank, he wouldn't earn enough in a lifetime to buy the cloth shop. After thinking it over, borrowing was the fastest way to get money, and the only person who could lend him that much was likely Nan Shuyi.

Nan Shuyi had no idea how Jiang Yicen could need such a huge sum after just one weekend.

He and Jiang Yicen had set up a small group with the driver. Whenever anyone needed the car, they would message in the group to let the driver know, so the other person would know where the driver was, and Nan Shuyi could keep track of Jiang Yicen's whereabouts.

Over the weekend, Nan Shuyi hadn't seen Jiang Yicen call for the driver in the group, nor did he know what Jiang Yicen had been doing—who he had met, what events he had attended. He knew nothing. It seemed like Jiang Yicen had been playing the good little boy just to pull off a big stunt, and now he had finally revealed his true intentions.

Nan Shuyi felt a wave of frustration wash over him.

His heart chilled, and his expression turned cold. "What do you need so much money for?"

Jiang Yicen was indeed in a hurry for the money. A buyer was already negotiating with the landlord for his mother's shop, and he was afraid that if he wasn't careful, someone else would snap it up.

He knew that such a large transaction couldn't be rushed, but this was his last sentimental tie to his family. If he didn't buy it, he would be helplessly anxious.

Jiang Yicen answered honestly, "I want to buy a house."

Nan Shuyi's heart grew even colder. Was Jiang Yicen thinking of moving out?

He tried to ask casually, but the urgency in his tone almost gave him away. "I remember your family prepared a house for you before marriage. Why do you want to buy a new one? Do you want to live near Nan Yuan?"

The current house was indeed not close to Nan Yuan, but Jiang Yicen got up early every day without fail and rarely slept in. Nan Shuyi didn't think the distance would cause him any sleep problems.

Jiang Yicen shook his head. "No."

Seeing that Nan Shuyi was looking at him differently, he worried that he might have misunderstood. He couldn't reveal the real reason he wanted to buy the house, but he had a backup plan.

Nan Shuyi was not someone who would make an irrational decision on the spur of the moment. To borrow money from him, Jiang Yicen needed a convincing reason. There was no free lunch in the world.

Jiang Yicen was still not very good at using a computer, so he opened his notebook—the one that Nan Shuyi had teased as an "old person's" item.

Jiang Yicen reasoned logically, "I went out for a couple of days and looked around. I found two shops that I like. Actually, I want to buy them to start a business."

In those few minutes just now, Nan Shuyi's mind had flashed through countless pessimistic possibilities, but he had never considered that Jiang Yicen might want to start his own business. So he just wanted to do business—why didn't he say so earlier?

It seemed that the bad behavior of the rich second-generation brats in this circle had biased him. Hearing "borrow money," his first thought was that there was some shady intent.

Nan Shuyi's indifferent demeanor softened. He looked at Jiang Yicen's notebook, which was filled with densely written notes. In it, Jiang Yicen had written down the reasons for buying the two stores, his observations of the surrounding environment, and a simple future business plan.

This was the Jiang Yicen he knew, not someone possessed by a smooth-talking scammer.

Nan Shuyi relaxed a little. "What kind of business do you want to start?"

Jiang Yicen knew Nan Shuyi probably still had doubts about lending that much money. That was normal—lending a huge amount to someone you've only recently met requires consideration of their creditworthiness and ability to repay.

Coming from a business family, he understood Nan Shuyi's concerns well. He wasn't a money tree; he was a businessman after all. It was natural for Nan Shuyi's mood to shift. When Jiang Yicen had considered borrowing from him, he had already anticipated this possibility. The worst-case scenario was simply that Nan Shuyi didn't trust him enough to lend the money.

That wouldn't be a disaster; he could sell all his assets and buy just one of the shops. That was his last option.

Jiang Yicen opened his notebook and briefly explained his plan for purchasing the shops. "I want to open a custom garment shop here, and a women's cosmetics store over there. But these are just my ideas for now, not yet fully developed. Shuyi, could you give me some advice?"

Nan Shuyi had regained his composure, but he still poured cold water on the idea. "Neither of those locations is in a prosperous area. They're quite far from busy districts. Whether you rent or buy, it would be a money-losing proposition. If you're flipping houses, you'll definitely lose."

"As for these two types of businesses, it's hard to say now. A garment shop these days means custom tailoring. You have to stay on top of current trends. Making a single garment takes a long time, and nowadays, not many people are patient enough to wait. Even the clothes we wear are designed by brand designers a season in advance and made to order. They have their own teams. If you want to set up your own studio, you'll definitely need a craftsman who can both design and produce. Of course, there are plenty of high-end custom studios these days. I'm just telling you that there's a risk of loss, and success isn't easy."

Jiang Yicen nodded. Actually, he just wanted to continue the original style of these two shops. Times had changed, people's lifestyles were different, and customer needs had changed as well. Nan Shuyi analyzed it seriously for him, and he listened carefully, taking notes. Nan Shuyi never wasted words on him, so he should heed his advice.

Jiang Yicen was eager to learn: "What about the other shop? It used to sell women's cosmetics and even had its own brand. I wonder if I could continue that?"

Nan Shuyi: "Also going for a Republic of China retro style?"

Jiang Yicen felt he was still a man of the Republic of China era but had never thought to associate himself with the word "vintage." Yet nowadays, vintage seemed to be in vogue.

Nan Shuyi said, "If you want to sell products related to women, you need a brand. Customize all items in the Republic of China vintage style, giving customers the illusion of traveling back in time and greatly enhancing their experience. For example, a replica of a general's wife's item, or a lipstick shade once used by a famous socialite. But that would require historical research."

Jiang Yicen loved this idea: "Oh, that works!" Indeed, consulting Nan Shuyi was the right choice. He truly understood modern business models and casually offered a novel idea.

Back then, his mother had socialized with many socialites and wealthy women, often keeping gift lists. His mother and third sister had taught him a lot. In the family, only he inherited his mother's talent for painting, and his third sister liked discussing lipstick colors with him. He still remembered the popular styles—this wouldn't be difficult for him.

Nan Shuyi looked at his cheerful expression. How could he have thought Jiang Yicen was trying to scam him when he asked for money? With that look, Jiang Yicen would probably count the money for him after being sold. Nan Shuyi wondered if he was being too cynical.

It was also good that not both of them had dark sides—one light and one dark made the perfect match.

However, the immediate goal wasn't the type of business; rather, Nan Shuyi didn't understand why Jiang Yicen had specifically chosen these two storefronts.

One was old and would need renovation after purchase, and the other was similar. However, the second one was clearly overpriced, though its location was slightly better than the first. Getting a return on the investment wouldn't happen overnight.

Jiang Yicen had mentioned borrowing money at the very beginning but never brought it up again afterward. Yet now, Nan Shuyi was more than willing to lend him the money.

Nan Shuyi found that he always had his own ideas initially, but Jiang Yicen's logical persuasion somehow made him agree. Jiang Yicen could always convince him with Jiang Yicen's own logic.

"Yicen, let me ask you one more question."

Jiang Yicen felt he had persuaded Nan Shuyi, but since he still had questions, he sat up straight and said, "Go ahead."

"Why not consider renting? Renting a shop or buying one in a good location would be better than spending a fortune on an old and rundown building as a storefront?"

Jiang Yicen bought them because they were once part of the Jiang family's legacy. He had a reason ready: "Because I like the history behind these two shops."

Nan Shuyi: "History?" That was something he hadn't considered.

Jiang Yicen: "Yes. Both shops have many interesting and meaningful stories behind them, which I think can serve as the foundation and inspiration for my entrepreneurial venture."

Nan Shuyi realized that Jiang Yicen always managed to find unique stories, just like last week's collaboration when he even dug up a vintage advertisement from the last century at Nan Yuan's place. It showed that he was very meticulous and also very nostalgic—a loyal and sentimental person.

He had heard friends mention people like this before and thought they were exaggerating, but now he had seen one in person—he had been too quick to judge.

Nan Shuyi said, "I can lend you the money, but I need to think about how to do it. I have to know how it will be spent. I'll have someone appraise the properties and then arrange to buy them."

Jiang Yicen recalled Zhou Yi's declaration of brotherhood: "Thank you, Brother Shuyi. I would do anything for you, even lay down my life!"

Nan Shuyi rolled his eyes. "I don't need your liver, your brains, or your ribs."

Jiang Yicen was so happy he didn't know where to put his hands, so he grabbed the pillow beside him and sat up properly.

He looked at Nan Shuyi with a slightly ingratiating look, tilting his head slightly toward him. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Nan Shuyi was quite tired after these two days, so he casually said, "Wake me up tomorrow morning."

As long as it wasn't something as difficult as cooking, Jiang Yicen would gladly agree.

Jiang Yicen: "Alright, what time should I wake you?"

Nan Shuyi: "Seven. I need to go to Shiyi in the morning to discuss the supplier issue."

The two talked for quite a while, and it was already ten at night.

Jiang Yicen had his wish fulfilled, solved the problem that had been weighing on him for two days, and he was in a good mood. Nan Shuyi saw the smile in his eyes and inexplicably felt a lot better, as if the fatigue of the past few days had been swept away.

That night, both had sweet dreams, but their dreams were different.

Jiang Yicen dreamed of his family he hadn’t seen in a long time. Upon learning he had bought back the Jiang family estate, they all praised him enthusiastically.

His strict father, not good at showing affection, awkwardly patted his shoulder: "My son, well done."

His mother, always so loving, hugged him: "My son, you’ve gained a bit of weight."

His eldest brother was always concise: "Yicen, keep it up."

His second brother, however, was a chatterbox: "My dear brother, how did you manage to buy back our family estate in modern times? That must have cost a fortune. One day, take me to see the beauties of the modern world, show me the dazzling sights!"

His third sister, as gorgeous as a flower: "Brother, don’t forget to buy me the latest lipstick when you go out—I want the newest release on the market."

His fourth brother, not good at expressing comfort with words, just smiled at him.

His most bashful fifth sister tugged at her long skirt and stepped forward, smiling as she handed him a bouquet: "May my sixth brother have a good mood every day, as bright as these flowers."

But just as Jiang Yicen was about to invite them to his home and introduce them to Nan Shuyi, the family before him dissolved into a wisp of white smoke and disappeared.

"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Second Brother!"

No matter how much he called out, no one appeared. All that was left was him alone at the entrance of the empty fabric shop.

"Where are you? I miss you so much!"

"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother..."

"Can’t you take me with you too?"

Jiang Yicen was jolted awake by his own dream. He wiped his eyes and found them full of tears.

He sat up in bed in a daze. It was still dark out, but he couldn’t fall back asleep.

It was just a dream. His family was all gone.

If only his family had time‑traveled to the modern world just like he had.

Since he had been given a chance to be reborn, could his family be reincarnated too? What had perished was only the physical body of that lifetime; their souls were reborn in a future time. Perhaps they were now somewhere in the world, living a happy life.

The more Jiang Yicen missed his family, the faster his tears flowed. The word 'sad' couldn't even come close to describing it.

He took a deep breath, feeling choked up from crying. He washed his face and went downstairs to get some ice to press against his eyes, otherwise they would surely swell by morning, and he wouldn't know how to explain it to anyone.

At that moment, it was 4:12 a.m., one hour before dawn.

But when Jiang Yicen went downstairs, he didn’t head for the fridge. Instead, he walked out to the balcony.

They lived on a high floor, and from there he could see the lights of buildings in the distance. This city never sleeps. There were still lights at this hour, like they were lighting the way his family had gone.

It must be almost Qingming Festival.

Realizing this was a holiday for remembering the dead, his longing for his family surged.

His nose started to sting, and big teardrops fell like beads off a broken necklace, utterly uncontrollable.

Nan Shuyi also had a dream, but his dream had nothing to do with family. Instead, it was full of erotic scenes that made him break out in a sweat, forcing him to get up in the middle of the night to take a shower. When he went to the fridge for water, he found that the bottled water hadn't been restocked, so he headed downstairs. He noticed a dim light on in the living room near the balcony, and a figure was curled up on the double sofa on the balcony.

Forgetting about his thirst for ice water, Nan Shuyi walked toward the balcony.

The sliding door of the balcony was open. As he got closer, he saw Jiang Yicen burying his head in his arms, quiet sobs that stabbed at Nan Shuyi's ears like needles.

He had no idea what had upset Jiang Yicen so much that he'd sneak out to the balcony alone at this hour to cry. Since he had stumbled upon it, he had to ask.

Nan Shuyi quickly walked over to the sofa.

"Jiang Yicen, what’s wrong?"

Jiang Yicen looked up, so startled he stopped sobbing. It felt like he'd made a fool of himself in front of Nan Shuyi again, but meeting Nan Shuyi’s concerned gaze, he started crying even harder.

His eyes full of tears, Jiang Yicen looked at Nan Shuyi, his voice shaking: "Nan Shuyi..."

Nan Shuyi saw his reddened eyes and the tip of his nose, his eyes a little puffy from crying for a while. Even while crying, Jiang Yicen tried to keep his composure, hurriedly planting his feet on the floor when he saw him.

Nan Shuyi almost laughed but stopped himself.

He felt like right now, Jiang Yicen needed a hug more than anything. From behind, he'd noticed how thin Jiang Yicen looked, his silhouette radiating deep loneliness. Jiang Yicen was supposed to be a carefree rich kid, not someone who'd sneak out to the balcony to cry in the middle of the night.

For some reason, seeing Jiang Yicen like this made his heart sting like a needle.

He was probably still half asleep, his filter not yet back on. He sat right next to Jiang Yicen, reached out, and gently put his hand on his shoulder.

Nan Shuyi squeezed his shoulder and asked, "Why are you crying?"

Was it because he hadn't agreed to lend him the money?